Visionary Professionals.
A Proven Leader.

Focused on Serving the Bereavement Sector

Established in 1961 by a group of passionate and dedicated bereavement service professionals, GFD has been a progressive partner in the bereavement sector for over 60 years. We are committed to the growth and vitality of the Canadian bereavement sector and dedicated to helping the public understand and pre-plan their last wishes. Our knowledgeable experts offer stable investment approaches while ensuring accurate and easy administration, monitoring, and exceptional Member support. By serving our Members, GFD is committed to providing solutions to promote and secure their future business.

Interested in membership? Connect with our team for more details.

  1. 1960's

    Service First

    • The Funeral Society of Ontario (today, GFD) was incorporated as a fraternal benefits society in 1961 by a group of innovative and forward-thinking funeral directors who recognized the social need for the proper conduct and administration of pre-need services.
    • The original objectives of the Funeral Society of Ontario: “…to assure the provision of a proper funeral service for each of its members upon death…”
    • Members at that time were everyday people who could purchase a certificate of insurance from the Society entitling the holder to “all items normally furnished by a selected Member funeral director…”
    • The first certificate is sold to Gertrude Allen on April 3, 1962.
    GFD Graduating Class fo 1969
  2. 1970's

    Progressive

    • As pre-need funeral planning grew in popularity in Ontario, the Funeral Society of Ontario recognized the necessity for a product that would provide consumers control over their funeral arrangements without increasing the administrative burden on funeral homes.
    • In 1971, the Society launched its revolutionary group annuity product designed to invest and administer pre-need trust deposits.
    • This new product was pivotal in expanding the Society’s reach across funeral establishments in Ontario, growing its assets to 10M by the end of the decade.
    1970s typewriter and phone
  3. 1980's

    Trustworthy and Generous

    • With pre-need regulation still on the drafting board at provincial policy level, consumers remained at risk of losing funds due to theft, fraud, or bankruptcy of funeral homes.
    • In 1982, the Funeral Society of Ontario announces full voluntary restitution of all trust funds lost to 50 depositors (families) in the community of Kincardine, Ontario, due to an incident of theft.
    • This confirms the Societies commitment to lobby for increased consumer protection relating to pre-paid funds in Ontario and the beginning of formulating a key provincial policy that would shape the industry for decades to come.
    yeah team
  4. 1990's

    Trustworthy

    • Three decades after its inception and after significant consumer protection advocacy, GFD is enshrined in the Ontario Bereavement Act and Regulations.
    • The Ontario Bereavement Regulation is amended to allow for funeral homes to invest prepaid funds with an eligible depositary through an Ontario Fraternal Society – formalizing GFD’s current regulatory structure in Ontario.
    • This decade marks further product diversification with GFD launching a new insurance product.
    • Assets under administration grow to over $100M.
    contract signing
  5. 2000's

    Progressive

    • Doubling down on its commitment to easing the administrative burden to its Members, GFD launches the sector-first, online, new business application.
    • Digital progress continues, with online claims and the launch of a Member web portal.
    • Assets under administration grow to $200M.
    laptop tech
  6. 2010's

    Service First

    • GFD experiences significant business growth with expansion across Canada.
    • Product diversification and innovation increases rapidly with the purchase of Funeral Plans Canada (FPC) and the development of a cemetery centric Care & Maintenance Fund.
    • Assets under administration hit $1B by the end of the decade.
    iPad with old photo
  7. 2020's

    Steadfastness

    • A revitalized brand identity is born with a refreshed approach to being a Service-first, Progressive and Trustworthy organization.
    • Using six of decades of knowledge, expertise and continued conviction to build on.
    • GFD has proved to be steadfast in leading the bereavement sector to new heights by innovating through product, service and advocacy.
    gfd.

Executive Staff

At GFD, we take great pride in our team of executive staff members, who bring years of experience and expertise to their respective roles. As a company, we’re committed to supporting the growth of our Members and leading the way in the bereavement sector with innovative and progressive solutions while also honouring the unique traditions of the communities we serve.

Heather Kiteley

President and

CEO

Wayne Seifried, CPA, CMA

Chief Financial Officer

Dave Penny

VP, Technology & Infrastructure

Matt Wren

Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance

Board of Directors

Our Board members at GFD bring decades of expertise in the bereavement sector, as well as in financial and regulatory matters, to help steer and steward the continued growth of our organization.

Lucy Lombardi

Chair of the Board,  Independent Director, March of Dimes Canada, Toronto

Mac Bain

Martyn Funeral Home, Basic Cremation Services, North Bay

Rob Blackburn

Jones Funeral Home Ltd., Georgetown

Bill Denning

Denning Funeral Directors Ltd., Southwestern Ontario

Peter Nadeau

Independent Director, Ottawa

Doug Pierson

Holy Trinity Cemetery, Niagara Falls

Olya Sanakoev

Independent Director, Rogers Communications Inc., Toronto

William B. Solomon

Independent Director, Toronto

Pina Melchionna

Independent Director, CITT, Toronto

List of Past Chairs of the Board

Lucy Lombardi

Independent Director

2023 –

Bill Denning

Denning Funeral Directors

2021 – 2023

Bill Dermody

PX Dermody Funeral Homes

2019 – 2021

Neil Verburg

Turner & Porter Funeral Directors Ltd

2017 – 2019

Patrick McGarry

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry

2015 – 2017

John Cunningham

Ashburnam Funeral Home

2014 – 2015

Graeme Hogle

Hogle Funeral Home

2012 – 2014

Jeff Porter

Turner & Porter Funeral Directors Ltd

2011 – 2012

John Ward

Ward Funeral Home

2010 – 2011

Rene Berthiaume

Berthiaume Funeral Home

2009 – 2011

Jim Price

2008 – 2009

Erin Hogle

GH Hogle

2006 – 2008

Dwaine Lloyd

Haliburton Community Funeral Home

2004 – 2006

Debbie A Armstrong

Armstrong Funeral Home

2002 – 2004

J Clive Weagant

Tubman Funeral Homes

2000 – 2002

Sharon McKay

1998 – 2000

John A Jerrett

Independent Director

1996 – 1998

Richard J Paul

A. M. Paul

1994 – 1996

L James Cardinal

Cardinal Funeral Homes Ltd

1992 – 1994

Douglas Porter

Turner & Porter Funeral Directors Ltd

1990 – 1992

Chris J Markey

Markey Dermody Funeral Home

1988 – 1990

George A Andrews

Andrews Funeral Home

1986 – 1988

John L Morrison

Rosar Morrison Funeral Home

1982 – 1986

Alan M Ward

Ward Funeral Home

1980 – 1982

T W Bill Stephenson

T Stephenson Funeral Home

1978 – 1980

R Bruce Ingram

Ingram Funeral Home

1976 – 1978

Thomas L Morrison

Rosar Morrison Funeral Home

1974 – 1976

Daniel C Kay Jr

Kay Funeral Home

1968 – 1974

Charles Hulse

Hulse & English Funeral Home

1965 – 1968

F Ray Porter

Turner & Porter Funeral Directors Ltd

1961 – 1965